Successful PR and Press Release Strategies for Small Businesses with Mickie Kennedy

Branded

Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding. This episode dives into the intricacies of strategic press releases and how they can significantly impact your brand and business. We’re joined by Mickie Kennedy, an expert in helping businesses with press releases and the founder of eReleases.com. Mickie’s insights shed light on the challenges PR firms face today, how earned media can build trust and credibility, and how small businesses can effectively leverage press releases. Throughout our conversation, we explore various facets of press release distribution, the role of new media, and how journalists navigate the overwhelming influx of information they receive. We also discuss using surveys and studies to create engaging press releases, the importance of relevance to the journalist's audience, and the evolving media landscape. We cover the often misunderstood concept of earned media, examining its power in fostering consumer trust and driving conversion rates. Finally, we touch on emerging trends in press release dissemination through platforms like podcasts, TikTok, and Instagram. Key takeaways: 1. Importance of Targeted Press Releases: We discuss how many press releases miss the mark, making it challenging for journalists to find relevant information. The key to a successful press release is not just well-written content but also its relevance and value to the journalist's audience. 2. Power of Earned Media: Mickie explains how earned media, which is coverage gained through genuine public interest without payment, can substantially enhance credibility and trust. This kind of media coverage can lead to increased sales, improved customer trust, and higher conversion rates. 3. Challenges in Press Release Syndication: We address the issues PR firms encounter in getting attention from journalists and the ineffectiveness of mass syndication. Despite being listed on hundreds of websites, often these press releases do not attract substantial visibility or indexing by search engines. 4. Utilizing Surveys and Studies: Mickie recommends using industry surveys or studies as a foundation for compelling press releases. By creating meaningful surveys and analyzing surprising findings, businesses can craft press releases that capture media attention and offer valuable insights. 5. Evolving Media Landscape: As new media platforms like podcasts, TikTok, and Instagram continue to grow, they are increasingly being used for press releases. This shift signifies the need for PR strategies to adapt and embrace these platforms to reach wider and more engaged audiences. Join us as we unpack these insights with Mickie Kennedy and learn how to refine your press release strategy for more effective and impactful branding. Don’t forget to check out Mickie's website, eReleases.com, and take advantage of his free video masterclass on strategic press releases and campaign planning. [embed]https://youtu.be/GtBrsQ2P7Gg?si=LAbKBar2WMF_lNws[/embed] About Mickie Kennedy Mickie Kennedy is an expert at helping small businesses, authors, and startups increase their visibility and credibility through tier-1 press release distribution. Mickie founded eReleases 25 years ago after realizing that small businesses desperately need a press release distribution service they can actually afford, giving them access to the media and to a national newswire – all with a personal touch. Mickie lives in Baltimore County with his family and two feuding cats. He enjoys British science fiction and acknowledges an unhealthy addiction to diet soda. Mickie holds an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Poetry from George Mason University. He still writes poetry most Monday nights (virtually) with a group of fellow misfits. www.ereleases.com